Effet de la déformation de la série sur la conservation de l'ordre de longueur en fonction de l'âge

Abstract

Studies on length seriation suggested that subjects fall back on spatial properties of the series (the staircase) to put lengths in order. The aim of presented research is to determine the role of this vivid representation of type « staircase » in the organization and the control of length seriation tasks. 80 subjects aged 7 to 11 years were asked to construct a series behind a screen in an irregular-bottomed box, that deforms the global shape of the series, while keeping the order. When subjects see their result (deformed) most of them call the order constructed before into question. These results corroborate that, at least before 11, subjects estimate that if the series hasn't the shape of a staircase, lengths are not in order. Finally, we emphasize the importance of the place hold by figurative aspects of the thought in seriation tasks.